In
1773, American colonists expressed their frustration at the abuses of
the British monarchy by staging the famed Boston Tea Party.

Now,
over 200 years later, residents throughout the United States plan to
recapture the spirit of that historic event with tea parties of their
own.

On
April 15, a series of tea parties are scheduled in more than 1,500 towns
in all 50 states. The protests are being promoted at the national level
by Americans
for Prosperity, a non-partisan grassroots organization.

Earlier
this year, the national AFP chapter led an effort against the federal
bailouts of several failing companies. According to AFP Oregon
State Director and former state legislator Jeff Kropf, that prompted
nearly 500,000 people to sign an online petition in protest. It also
caused AFP’s membership to double in just a few weeks.

“People
all over American and Oregon are angry and afraid. They’re scared
about what’s happening to America’s freedom and economy,
and they’re willing to get out and do something about it on April
15,” Kropf said. “We’re diligently working to channel
that anger, frustration and fear into a positive direction through asking
these people to come be part of our organization and join one of our
local or state chapters.”

Oregon, a state where Democrats have a near-monopoly on political power,
will see tea parties in many of its cities. Those include notoriously
liberal Portland, where Kropf said “several thousand people”
have registered for the event.

The Grants Pass tea party is being organized by around 100 people, according
to Josephine County chapter coordinator Jack Swift.

Swift said that concerns over increased government growth, spending
and deficits have lead to widespread interest in AFP’s activities.

“The
driving crux behind this seems to be coming from women,” Swift
said. “They’re concerned about their grandkids and what
this mess is going to leave to our grandchildren.”

Members
of the mainstream press have started taking notice of the tea part events
and reporting on them. Swift said that publicity has raised expectations
for the Grants Pass protest, which will begin at 5 p.m. in front of
the county courthouse.

“We thought we’d get maybe 40 people out. But nationwide,
this has just grabbed hold,” Swift said. “It
has all kinds of momentum.”

Swift said his speech will concentrate on the Declaration of Independence
and the parallels between revolutionary America and now. Paul Walter
who immigrated from a socialist country will speak on the dangers of
socialism.

“Look
at the long litany of complaints brought against King George,”
Swift said. “Six of them are exactly on point today.”

The Josephine County AFP chapter meets at the Elmer’s restaurant
in Grants Pass at 6:30 p.m. every Thursday. Swift said he would be more
than happy to welcome new members upset about current events.

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“I
think what history is going to say about our nation today as we sit
here is that we are confronting a monumental decision,” Swift
said. “Are we going to be a nation of free enterprise or a nation
of socialism?”

W.
Scott Jorgensen is a resident of Cave Junction, Oregon and reports for
the Illinois Valley News. He hosts a talk show on KAJO radio in Grants
Pass from 9:30 to 10:30 every
Wednesday morning and has reported for various daily, weekly and monthly
newspapers, worked as a press secretary for a 2004 Congressional campaign
and served as an aide in the 2005 Oregon Legislature.